Inland Revenue: Security Holdings

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 January (WA 52–53), what are the estimated current market value and income yield of the Inland Revenue's security holdings listed on pages 32 and 33 of the statement supplementing the Consolidated Fund and National Loans Fund accounts.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Some securities are quoted on the Stock Exchange but others are not quoted. Many of the securities holdings are bonds which are redeemable from specified dates. It is not possible therefore to give the information requested.

Inland Revenue: Security Holdings

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 January (WA 52–53), why reasons of taxpayer confidentiality prevent them from answering the last part of Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay's Question (HL1016) on what plans they have for these holdings.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: It is not appropriate to release information about specific holdings of securities as that would reveal confidential information supplied by taxpayers. Exemption 15 (Statutory and other restrictions) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies. Securities are generally held against payment of a tax debt and are returned to the taxpayer when the debt is paid. If the debt is not paid the Inland Revenue can dispose of the assets.

Inland Revenue: Security Holdings

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 16 January (WA 52–53), what are the arrangements for management of the Inland Revenue's security holdings described in Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay's Question (HL1016); and what performance targets are applicable.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Securities are held by the Inland Revenue against payment of a tax debt and are returned to the taxpayer when the debt is paid. If the debt is not paid the Inland Revenue seeks specialist advice on disposal of the assets.

Inland Revenue: Security Holdings

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will explain the different circumstances under which it is possible for the Inland Revenue to acquire security holdings.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In certain circumstances securities may occasionally be accepted as security for a tax debt—perhaps because the taxpayer is unable to offer other assets as security instead. The Inland Revenue also accepts securities where tax due from overseas cannot be released directly to the UK because of exchange controls. Other securities can be issued by debtor companies under statutory provision.

Human Rights Act 1998 Guidance

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will amend the guidance given to government departments by the Cabinet Office on the Human Rights Act 1998 in February 2000 to include and be consistent with the guidance subsequently given by the Lord Chancellor to departments about Explanatory Notes on Bills, indicating that they should identify the main ways in which convention rights are thought to be engaged and explaining why the department considers measures in a Bill to be compatible with convention rights.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Yes, my department is presently undertaking a comprehensive revision of Human Rights Act 1998: Guidance for Departments which was issued by the Cabinet Office in February 2000. The new edition will take account of all significant developments. It will include the amended guidance relating to explanatory notes on Bills.
	This amended guidance states that explanatory notes on Bills should describe the most significant convention issues thought to arise on a Bill, together with the Minister's conclusions on compatibility; amended guidance draws attention to the fact that the explanatory notes are published by Parliament and should thus be neutral in tone.
	In the meantime, the amended guidance about explanatory notes on Bills has been made available by my department through LION (Legal Information Online Network), the website for Government lawyers, and is also available on the Human Rights Unit's website. In addition, we have reminded officials about the amended guidance, using the network of nominated departmental human rights contacts.

Burglars: Sentencing of Persistent Offenders

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many offenders have been sent to prison for persistent burglary under the automatic three-year sentence since the relevant legislation entered into effect in December 1999.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Information reported to the Home Office shows that six persons were sentenced under Section 111 of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (previously Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997) in England and Wales for a third offence of burglary by the end of 2001.
	An offender has to have committed an offence, been apprehended, prosecuted and convicted, on three separate occasions since 1 December 1999 to be subject to the mandatory sentence. Given that a custodial sentence for the first or second offence since December 1999 is likely in many cases it will take some time before significant numbers of offenders who qualify for the mandatory sentence appear before the courts.
	Information for 2002 is due for publication in the late autumn of 2003.
	These provisions do not extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Cyprus

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What practical support they are offering to help bring about a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem by 28 February on the basis of the United Nations Secretary-General's proposals.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK continues to give full support to the UN efforts to secure, by 28 February, a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement on the basis of the UN Secretary-General's revised proposals of 10 December. This would allow both sides of the island to hold referenda in time for a reunited Cyprus to sign the Treaty of Accession with the European Union on 16 April. Our preference remains for a reunited Cyprus to accede to the EU, which would be in the best interests of all Cypriots, of Greece and Turkey, of Europe and the region as a whole.
	We maintain a high level of political engagement with the UN-led process. For example, when my right honourable friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met Turkish Ministers at the Copenhagen European Council in December and when my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Ankara on 8 January. The UK Special Representative for Cyprus, the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, will visit Athens, Ankara and Nicosia in the next two weeks in order to help facilitate negotiations.

EU: Commissioner de Palacio's Letter

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What reply they received to the letter dated 16 November 2002 by the Minister of Europe to Commissioner de Palacio; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Commissioner de Palacio responded to the letter of my honourable friend the Minister for Europe on 20 November 2002. The reply referred to previous correspondence between the UK's Permanent Representative to the EU and the Commission (copies of which have already been placed in the Libraries of the House).
	A copy of the Commissioner de Palacio's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Chechnya: Human Rights

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will discuss with the Government of Russia an extension for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's mandate to monitor human rights abuses by all parties in and arising from Chechnya.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised this issue with the Russian Foreign Minister in late December, seeking an extension to the OSCE Assistance Group's mandate, including its responsibilities to monitor the human rights and humanitarian situation in Chechnya. The UK have also supported sustained EU pressure to agree a mandate for the assistance group that would be acceptable both to Russia and other members of the OSCE. We are disappointed that, thus far, it has not been possible to achieve this.

Iraq

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their position on Iraq following the presentation of the United Nations Monitoring Verification and Inspection Committee's (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) updates 60 days after the resumption of weapons inspections.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I have today placed in the Library copies of the statement made to the United Nations Security Council on 27 January by Dr Blix of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and Dr El Baradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Taken together, these statements are damning and disturbing. They show beyond doubt that the Iraqi regime is responding to Resolution 1441 not with active co-operation but with a consistent pattern of concealment and deceit.

Heavy Equipment Transporter Incident

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the causes and circumstances of a Challenger main battle tank falling off the Oshkosh heavy equipment transporter the day before it was to be demonstrated to the public; and
	Who will pay for the cost of inspecting and repairing any damage to the main battle tank which fell off the Oshkosh heavy equipment transporter; and what is the replacement value; and
	What assurances they can give that heavy armoured vehicles will not fall off Oshkosh heavy equipment transporters or cause them to roll over when on public roads when in general service.

Lord Bach: The heavy equipment transporter service is provided by a consortium led by Halliburton KBR. The design, build and supply of the vehicle are undertaken by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation under sub-contract to Fasttrax Ltd. The supply and management of the trailers is undertaken by King Trailers of Market Harborough under sub-contract to Oshkosh.
	The incident occurred on 2 December 2002 at Tidworth Garrison during preparations for a demonstration of the heavy equipment transporter. Investigations into the incident are in progress. Liability for the cost of inspection and repair to the Challenger 2 main battle tank will be determined following completion of the investigations, which are focusing on the operating procedures followed at the time, the interface between load and trailer and the characteristics of the trailer. This investigation will also identify what action is needed to reduce the risk of any further incidents of this nature. I will write to the noble Earl once the investigations have reached a conclusion.
	The Challenger 2 main battle tank is no longer in production. The unit production cost of the tanks purchased against the most recent contract from the Ministry of Defence was £5.7 million.

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Reorganisation

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the full cost of splitting the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic; and
	What was the expenditure on information technology systems relating to the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic; and
	What was the expenditure on consultants involved in, or advising on, the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic.

Lord Bach: Given the integrated nature of the public private partnership (PPP) we have not separately costed individual workstreams within the project. However, we expect the total cost, since the PPP was announced in the Strategic Defence Review, to be around £80 million. This includes not only the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and QinetiQ but also the initial options study, the public consultation process, vesting of QinetiQ as a plc and completion of the sale of shares in the company. Of this, approximately £24 million relates to expenditure on IT and infrastructure and approximately £49 million relates to consultancy fees.

Gulf Veterans: Deaths

Baroness Massey of Darwen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the latest figures for deaths of Gulf veterans and among the control group.

Lord Bach: Figures for Gulf veterans' mortality from 1 April 1991 to 30 June 2002 were published on 24 July 2002 (WA 81–82) in answer to a Question by my noble friend Lord Elder. The latest data, as at 31 December 2002, are shown in Table 1 below. As before, the data for Gulf veterans are compared to those of a control group, known as the Era cohort, which is made up of Armed Forces personnel of a similar age, gender, service and rank who were not deployed. Table 2 provides a detailed breakdown of deaths from cancer (malignant neoplasm) by anatomical site.
	
		Table 1 Deaths of UK Gulf veterans (Note: 1) 1 April 1991–31 December 2002  Causes (coded to ICD-9) (Note: 2)
		
			 ICD Chapter Cause of death Gulf Era(3) Mortality Rate Ratio(4) 
			  All deaths 571 574 0.99 
			  All cause coded deaths 563 566 0.99 
			 I–XVI Disease-related causes 225 276 0.81 
			 I Infectious and parasitic diseases 4 2 1.99 
			 II Cancers 97 109 0.89 
			 III Endocrine and immune disorders 1 4 0.25 
			 V Mental disorders 12 15 0.80 
			 VI Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs (Note 5) 10 9 1.11 
			 VII Diseases of the circulatory system 75 102 0.73 
			 VIII Diseases of the respiratory system 10 6 1.66 
			 IX Diseases of the digestive system 14 18 0.77 
			 IV, X–XVI All other disease-related causes (Note 6) 2 11 0.18 
			 EXVII External causes of injury and poisoning 338 290 1.16 
			  Railway accidents 4 1 3.98 
			  Motor vehicle accidents 118 97 1.21 
			  Water transport accidents 5 1 4.97 
			  Air and space accidents 25 19 1.31 
			  Other vehicle accidents 0 1 0.00 
			  Accidental poisoning 12 14 0.85 
			  Accidental falls 8 7 1.14 
			  Accidents due to fire/flames 0 2 0.00 
			  Accidents due to natural environmental factors 2 2 1.00 
			  Accidents due to submersion/suffocation/foreign bodies 17 7 2.42 
			  Other accidents 31 29 1.06 
			  Late effects of accident/injury 0 2 0.00 
			  Suicide and injury undetermined whether accidental 107 100 1.07 
			  Homicide 6 4 1.49 
			  Injury resulting from the operations of war 3 4 0.75 
			  Other deaths for which coded cause data are not yet available 5 4  
			  Overseas deaths for which cause data are not available 3 4  
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Service and Ex-Service personnel only.
	2. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.
	3. The Era group comprises 53,143 personnel, randomly sampled from all UK Armed Forces personnel in service on 1 January 1991 and who did not deploy to the Gulf. This group is matched to the 53,409 Gulf veterans to reflect the socio-demographic and military composition of the Gulf cohort in terms of age, gender, Service (Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force), officer/other rank status, regular/reservist status, and a proxy measure for fitness.
	4. Mortality rate ratios differ marginally from the crude deaths ratio owing to some small differences between the Gulf and Era cohorts.
	5. These figures include 4 deaths from Motor Neurone Disease amongst the Gulf cohort and 3 in the Era group.
	6. Includes cases with insufficient information on the death certificate to provide a known cause of death.
	
		Table 2 Deaths due to neoplasms among UK Gulf veterans: 1 April 1991–31 December 2002 (Major anatomical sites (coded to ICD-9)(1)
		
			 IDC 9 Site Gulf Era 
			 140–239 All neoplasms 97 109 
			 
			 140–149 Malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity and pharynx 3 4 
			 150–159 Malignant neoplasm of digestive organs and peritoneum 21 25 
			 160–165 Malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs 15 24 
			 170–175 Malignant nepolasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast 14 10 
			 179–189 Malignant neoplasm of genitourinary organs 2 6 
			 190–199 Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified site 20 27 
			 200–208 Malignant neoplasm of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue 19 11 
			 239 Unspecified nature 3 2 
		
	
	(1)World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision, Geneva, 1977.

Defence Sixth Form College

Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a decision has been taken to build a defence sixth form college.

Lord Bach: Our intention to develop a defence sixth form college was initially announced by my right honourable friend the Defence Secretary (Mr Hoon) in answer to a Question by my honourable friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Salter, on 27 March 2001 (Official Report, cols. 547–48W in another place) on the outcome of the Defence Training Review. On 24 January 2002 (col. 994W) my right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Ingram) gave an update in another place on the project, at which time no decisions had been taken on where the college would be built or how it would be procured.
	We are now able to inform the House that we have concluded that a public-private partnership (PPP) offers best value for money for provision of the facilities and services required by the college. We have selected the Minerva consortium, which comprises Interserve plc, HSBC and TQ Education and Training Ltd, as the preferred bidder, and are now engaged in negotiations to conclude a contract.
	This being the site selected by the preferred bidder, the defence sixth form college will be built on the site of the disused barracks outside Woodhouse, near Loughborough. It will open in September 2005, at which time the present army sixth form college at Welbeck Abbey will close.

British Passport Holders and Asylum Seekers: Accommodation and Benefits

Baroness Park of Monmouth: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What time must elapse before (a) the holder of a valid British passport arriving in this country without means, and (b) an asylum seeker arriving in this country destitute, becomes entitled to accommodation and social security benefits.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: There is no set time-scale within which British passport holders arriving in the UK who are not habitually resident in the common travel area (the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) become eligible for income-related benefits or social housing. However, if they apply for either they are subject to the habitual residence test. If they pass the test they can receive help through the benefit system and apply for social housing immediately. If they fail the test they may appeal against the decision or re-apply at a later date.
	Under the National Assistance Act 1948, local authorities may provide accommodation to British passport holders who do not pass the habitual residence test if they are destitute and have a need for care and attention which is not otherwise available. Such accommodition can only be provided as board and lodging and if the local authority considers it appropriate to do so in all the circumstances. Authorities are not obliged under the Act to provide other services or cash payments.
	Under the Children Act 1989 local authority social services departments are responsible for supporting any children in need, regardless of their country of origin. A returning child with a UK passport would receive help from social services in the same way as any other child. Services are provided to protect the welfare of the child but can be provided to other family members if to do so would meet this primary aim. Support under the Act is also available to unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
	Since 3 April 2000, the Home Office, through the National Asylum Support Service, has been responsible for supporting and accommodating asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their asylum application. Such support can be provided on arrival in the UK. New measures introduced in the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which came into force on 8 January 2003, deny support, with certain exceptions, to those asylum seekers who do not make their application as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Poverty: Disabled Children

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will undertake an economic analysis of the investment required to ensure that government programmes aimed at lifting children out of poverty reach disabled children.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Research suggests that children in workless households are much more likely to be deprived than children living in a working household. Work is crucial if we are to stop life-cycle effects of poverty and the way it is passed down the generations. Work is not only important for those of working age. Children who grow up in non-working families have an increased risk of being unemployed themselves in adulthood. This is borne out by Gregg and Machin in their 1998 paper: Child Development and Success or Failure in the Youth Labour Market, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	However, we recognise that disabled children and their families have additional needs. We are committed to helping severely disabled people with the extra costs they face as a result of their disabilities. This is why from April 2001 the disabled living allowance higher rate mobility component was extended to severely disabled children aged three and four, providing extra help to their families currently worth £39.30 a week.
	A full analysis of our strategy to eradicate child poverty is given in our annual Opportunity for all reports. Opportunity for all—fourth annual report (Cm 5598) was published in September 2002. It reports on a range of outcome indicators covering many dimensions of poverty and social exclusion.

Social Security: Reciprocal Agreements

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What negotiations have been held since 1947 with countries with which the United Kingdom still does not have a reciprocal social security agreement; what plans they have to conduct any such negotiations; and whether the governments of any of the affected countries have expressed a wish to conduct negotiations.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Since 6 July 1948, when the national insurance scheme began, 33 agreements have been implemented over time following negotiations with the governments of 34 other countries or territories on possible reciprocal agreements covering social security benefits.
	No commitments have been made to enter into new agreements with other countries for over 20 years. A new agreement with Barbados came into force in April 1992 but that fulfilled a commitment given to the Government of Barbados in the 1970s. The Government's policy is not actively to seek to enter into new reciprocal social security agreements with other countries that would extend payment of UK benefits to persons abroad.
	As far as is known, the UK has received no formal requests from other governments with a view to entering into negotiations on possible reciprocal agreements covering social security benefits.

Winter Fuel Payment

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated annual cost of paying the winter fuel payment to British pensioners who do not live in the United Kingdom; and how many will benefit in 2003–04.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: People who are entitled to a winter fuel payment while living in the UK may be able to continue to receive winter fuel payments if they move to another European economic area (EEA) country. Our broad estimate for 2003–04 is that some 69,000 people could be so entitled at a cost of up to £11 million. This estimate will be revised when we have sufficient data on actual payments made to entitled recipients living in another EEA country.

Greenland: Fish Stocks

Lord Swinfen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following Greenland's departure from the European Economic Community because of the common fisheries policy, how Greenland's fish stocks now compare to those of the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Lord Whitty: Scientific assessment reports indicate that most of the largest stocks in the vicinity of Greenland have been at low levels during the most recent decade and that the cod stock off Greenland is in a severely depleted state. The shrimp stocks are at a high level, however, possibly because of the absence of predation by cod.

London: Bird Population

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have discovered reasons for the present scarcity of birds in the London area, in particular house sparrows and starlings.

Lord Whitty: Recent Defra research showed that during the past 30 years house sparrow populations have declined most in South East England and suburban and urban gardens have seen the most marked fall. In contrast, they are thriving in Scotland and Wales, both in urban and rural areas.
	Starling numbers have declined in both suburban and rural areas. The decline has been greatest in the South and West. Starling breeding patterns have shown a recent improvement but this is least so in urban gardens in the South East.
	Defra research has been complemented by work co-ordinated on behalf of the London Biodiversity Partnership (LBP) by the RSPB, London Wildlife Trust, Greater London Authority and London Natural History Society. The survey Where Have All Our Sparrows Gone? ran from 18 June until 19 July 2002. The Mayor of London announced the results of the research on 14 January.
	Over 9,000 people took part in the survey, counting almost 75,000 sparrows and creating the most detailed picture of the city's sparrows to date. The broad picture is of a ring of urban London where sparrows are still quite common, rather fewer sparrows around the outskirts, a definite sparrow hotspot on the eastern side of London but a gap in Inner London where very few sparrows were recorded. The lowest mean number of sparrows was found in the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster areas.
	Other interesting results include that sparrows were more likely to nest in homes built before 1945 than in newer homes. City farms have continued to attract sparrows, even within the inner boroughs: 96 per cent had sparrows, with an average count of 12 birds.
	Further analysis of the survey results is planned to see how strongly they correlate with various factors in London that might be impacting on sparrows.

Arterial Watercourses

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is the duty of the Environment Agency to maintain and clean the arterial drains that were formerly the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority; and, if so, whether this task is being carried out in a satisfactory manner.

Lord Whitty: The Environment Agency is not under any duty to maintain and clean arterial watercourses. Primary responsibility for the maintenance of all watercourses rests with the riparian owners.

Shotguns

Lord Mancroft: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their current concerns over the use of firearms alters the Answer given by Lord Whitty to Lord Geddes on 10 May 2002 (WA 205).

Lord Whitty: The Home Office is proposing a number of measures in order to deal with the unacceptable increase in firearms crime and reflect the Government's determination to tackle this problem in a deliberate and concerted way.
	These measures include:
	The introduction of a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for those convicted on indictment of possessing prohibited firearms.
	A ban on the carrying of an imitation firearm or air weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse.
	The age limit for acquiring or using an air weapon without adult supervision will be increased from 14 to 17.
	A ban on the sale, manufacture and importation of air cartridge systems, such as the Brocock, and the licensing of those already held.
	A national firearms amnesty.
	These measures do not impact on the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Geddes, on 10 May 2002 as to use of rifles and shotguns for hunting.

Mink: Western Isles Project

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether bodies in Scotland have been consulted with regard to the effectiveness of trapping and shooting mink in the Western Isles.

Lord Whitty: This is a devolved issue to the Scottish Executive but I understand that the work in the Western Isles is part of the Hebridean Mink Project. This is a five-year project funded by a partnership of EU-Life III, nature funds, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Comhairle Nan Eilean Sian, Western Isles Enterprise, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scotland, the Scottish Executive and Defra's Central Science Laboratory (CSL).

Mink Eradication

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the eradication of the American mink.

Lord Whitty: American Mink is an invasive non-native species with recognised impacts on a range of economic and biodiversity interests. They are widespread throughout the UK and eradication is not considered a reasonable prospect for the country as a whole. However, some locations in the UK provide special circumstances where eradication may be feasible, for example, the Hebrides where the Scottish authorities are undertaking a project which aims to achieve local mink eradication.
	Mink are not protected from killing or taking, although they do benefit from the protection against the use of prohibited methods of control which is afforded to all mammals by Section 11(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996.
	Further consideration of the policy concerning eradication of mink and other non-active species will be made following the report of the Non-Native Species Policy Review which is expected to be published shortly.

Chemicals Policy: Costs

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimate of the cost to industry of complying with future legislation arising from (a) the European Union chemicals strategy and (b) the new detergents directive.

Lord Whitty: (a) The estimated costs to industry of complying with the White Paper of February 2001 on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy vary widely. For instance, the recent business impact assessment produced for the Commission estimated the direct cost to industry as ranging between E1.4 billion to E7 billion (£886 million to £4.43 billion) across the EU—based on certain assumptions and scenarios.
	The partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) prepared by my department suggests that the costs to the UK industry alone might be of the order of £423 million (about E670 million).
	A revised RIA will be required when proposals for the European Commission's legislation are available, and my department is working closely with other interested departments, the devolved administrations and concerned stakeholders to develop its scope and content. As well as considering the benefits and costs of the proposals in detail, the RIA will include an assessment of the implications of the proposed legislation for the international competitiveness of the UK chemicals industry and other manufacturing sectors that use chemicals in their processes and products.
	(b) Currently there is no reliable estimate for the cost of implementing the proposed detergents regulation. My department is in the process of completing an RIA for it and will ensure that, as part of this process, the views of industry and other consultees are taken into account. The RIA will generate the estimate called for and will be made publicly available.

Local Heritage Initiatives

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many local heritage initiatives have been grant aided in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, and (c) 2002; and at what cost.

Baroness Blackstone: The local heritage initiative scheme is run on behalf of the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Countryside Agency. The following grants have been made:
	2000–01: 122 awards totalling £1,316,000.
	2001–02: 201 awards totalling £2,277,000.
	2002–03: 201 awards totalling £2,915,148 (up to 31 December 2002).

Sports Broadcasting

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have had, or intend to have, consultations with any professional sport representative body in the United Kingdom about the effect of any current, or likely, European Union legislation concerned with collective non-competitive agreements within such bodies and their freedom to conduct negotiations on matters of transmission and finance with (a) national or (b) European television broadcasting organisations.

Baroness Blackstone: There is no specific European Union legislation on the broadcasting of sports events. The European Commission applies general EU legislation on competition and employment to sports broadcasting and commercial contracts as it does in other economic areas where such contracts have cross-border effects. The Commission has recently issued a Statement of Objections to the FA Premier League's broadcasting contract with BSkyB. The Government have not been approached in respect of this by either the football authorities or any representative body but stand ready to offer advice and support if they are requested.

Gambling Commission

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What powers the new Gambling Commission will have.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government's proposals are summarised in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.6 and 3.12 of A safe bet for success) (Cm 5397). Appendix B to Cm 5397 sets out the proposals in fuller detail.

House of Lords: Travel Allowance for Visits to EU Institutions

Lord Dubs: asked the Leader of the House:
	Further to his Written Answer on 28 May 2002 (WA 146) whether the Senior Salaries Review Body has recommended a new allowance in the House of Lords to allow Members of the House a set number of visits a year to either European Union institutions or the national parliaments of member states and applicant countries to the European Union.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I have been in correspondence with the Senior Salaries Review Body on this matter.
	On 23 January it recommended a new allowance which will enable Members of the House of Lords to claim reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses for up to two return visits per annum on parliamentary business to European institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg and to the national parliaments of EU member states or EU candidate countries.
	This allowance will be similar to that available to Members of the House of Commons following the Resolution of that House on 9 May 2002. As in the House of Commons, approval for any such visit will need to be sought from the House authorities in advance.
	I will table a motion for a Resolution of the House to authorise this new allowance in the next few weeks.

Traffic Commissioners: English Traffic Areas

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What legislation would be required to create a single English traffic area for traffic commissioners.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: For the purposes of administering the licensing of operators of public services and of heavy goods vehicles, Great Britain is divided into Scottish, Welsh and six English traffic areas. To create a single English traffic area would require an order under Section 3(2) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (as amended).

Traffic Commissioners: English Traffic Areas

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for merging the six regional traffic areas; whether such proposals have the support of the traffic commissioners for England and the senior traffic commissioner; and whether such a proposal is consistent with the Government's policies of devolution of powers to the English regions.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government are considering proposals for simplifying the administration of the system for licensing operators of public service vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. These include the organisation of traffic areas, which is not currently based on English regions. We will be consulting interested parties in due course.

TAN and Vehicle Inspectorate Merger

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they propose to take to ensure the independence of traffic commissioners following the proposed merger of their staff with the Vehicle Inspectorate; and what representations they have received concerning the proposal.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Traffic commissioners are independent of the Department for Transport. They are supported by Department for Transport staff in the Traffic Area Network (TAN). The position of traffic commissioners will be unchanged by the merger of TAN with the Vehicle Inspectorate staff to form the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). TAN will be a separate division of VOSA. No representations have been received concerning the proposal.

Strategic Rail Authority

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the recommendations of the Higgs Report on corporate governance should apply to the Strategic Rail Authority and other similar non-departmental public bodies.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: NDPBs, such as the Strategic Rail Authority, are not required to comply with the combined code and normally operate under a clear framework set out in a financial memorandum and management statement agreed with Ministers.

IVF Embryos: Fertility Treatment

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether direct payment to couples for consenting to their IVF embryos being used for fertility treatment is prohibited:
	(a) by law; and
	(b) by regulations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and
	Whether direct payment to couples for consenting to their IVF embryos being used for research is prohibited:
	(a) by law; and
	(b) by regulations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and
	Whether discount IVF treatment in return for gametes or embryos is permissible; and, if so, whether this is occurring; and
	Whether discount IVF treatment in return for consent to the use of gametes or embryos is permissible; and, if so, whether this is occurring .

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Section 12(e) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 provides that no money or other benefit shall be given or received in respect of any supply of gametes or embryos unless authorised by directions from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Directions permit people providing gametes for donation for treatment to be paid no more than £15 for each donation, plus reasonable expenses. Guidance on what can be considered reasonable expenses is contained in Annex G to the authority's code of practice.
	In some licensed centres a woman may be offered treatment involving in vitro fertilisation at reduced cost in return for sharing the eggs she produces with another woman receiving in vitro fertilisation. This arrangement can be advantageous to both women involved. It may allow one to receive treatment that she could not otherwise afford, while providing eggs for the other. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority considered egg sharing in 1998 and has kept it under review since then, covering the provision of consent and the preparation of formal agreements between the parties involved in its code of practice. The authority is aware, however, that some people find this a matter of concern and the issue is to be discussed by the authority's ethics committee. The conclusions of the committee, and of the authority as a whole, will be communicated to the House and placed in the Library.

Patients Contaminated with NHS Blood

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultation has taken place between them and the Scottish Executive about the findings of the expert group chaired by Lord Ross on financial and other practical support for patients contaminated with National Health Service blood, blood products or tissue; whether they have made any suggestion that the group's findings should not be implemented; and whether decisions on implementation of the group's findings are solely for the Scottish Executive to take.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Officials from the United Kingdom government departments concerned and the Scottish Executive are looking at the group's findings and their implications for the interface between the social security system and devolved responsibilities. No conclusions have yet been reached.

NHS Trusts: Deficits

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19 December 2002 (WA 157), by what date they expect each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the Answer to comply with its statutory duty to break even.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Compliance with the statutory duty to break-even is measured over a number of financial years. National Health Service trusts are deemed to comply with the duty unless a breach is reported in their audited accounts. While 50 NHS trusts did report a deficit in their 2001–02 audited accounts, none reported a breach.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of clinical services delivered to National Health Service patients covered by standard tariffs, a National Health Service foundation trust will be obliged to charge primary care trusts the standard tariff price in all circumstances for every item of service; and, if not, in what circumstances the standard tariff could be varied.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There will be a transition path to move providers to the national tariff, but once the new system of financial flows has been fully implemented the same rules will apply to foundation trusts and other National Health Service providers. Details of how the scheme will operate will be published in due course.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What sources of capital in the public sector will be available to National Health Service foundation trusts as referred to in paragraph 5.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and who will determine whether and on what terms public sector capital will be made available to a National Health Service foundation trust.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health will determine on what terms public sector capital will be made available.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a National Health Service foundation trust will be able to use the financial surpluses made by achieving efficiency gains which reduce its cost of delivery below the standard tariff which it must charge to primary care trusts for (a) reducing the tariffs for the same or other regulated services provided to primary care trusts, (b) cross-subsidising the prices charged to primary care trusts for regulated services not covered by the standard tariffs or (c) cross-subsidising the prices of non-regulated services.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: All commissioned National Health Service services will be subject to the standard national tariff. NHS foundation trusts will have freedom over the way they use any financial surpluses, subject to the requirements of their licence and their primary purpose of providing health services for the benefit of NHS patients and the community.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (WA 34), (a) what are the elements of the legislative framework which apply currently to the private finance initiative projects of National Health Service trusts; and (b) in what way, if any, that framework will need to be adapted for National Health Service foundation trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The NHS (Residual Liabilities) Act 1996 (the 1996 Act) and the NHS (Private Finance) Act 1997 (the 1997 Act) (together the protective legislation) currently govern the private finance initiative projects of National Health Service trusts. Any necessary changes will be included in forthcoming legislation.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 14 January (WA 39), whether the independent regulator will have any functions in relation to private finance initiative transactions undertaken by National Health Service foundation trusts.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The independent regulator will not have any functions in relation to private finance initiative transactions undertaken by National Health Service foundation trusts.

Abortions

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2 December 2002 (WA 83), whether the information contained in the footnote is correct.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: I regret that the information contained in the footnote to my reply of 2 December 2002 (WA 83) about the number of abortions performed since 1990 under Section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967 is incorrect. The footnote should state:
	"Figures for 1990 to 1997 are of abortions performed at 25 weeks 0 days gestation or more and may include a very small number of abortions performed under sections other than 1(1)(d); figures from 1998 onwards are of abortions under Section 1(1)(d) performed at more than 24 weeks 0 days gestation."

Clinical and Managerial Practice: NICE Guidance

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have agreed to a study into the implementation of the guidance issued to the National Health Service by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; when they expect the results of the study; and whether it will be made publicly available.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has commissioned a research project through the National Health Service research and development methodology programme to evaluate the impact of its guidance on clinical and managerial practice. Preliminary results of the first phase were made public at the NICE Conference in December 2002. The final report will be available in the autumn.